Doing Business

On behalf of the City of Tavares, we welcome you to America's Seaplane City and express our appreciation for your choice of Tavares as your place of business.

Tavares is growing and thriving thanks to businesses like yours. The City Council has been very committed and worked hard to create, maintain, and grow a dynamic business environment while keeping our friendly small-town character. We are sure you will find Tavares the perfect location for your business to prosper.

The City of Tavares Economic Development Department works with the Lake County Agency for Economic Prosperity, local colleges, and technical centers to ensure business owners have the tools to succeed and the well-trained workforce necessary to support their businesses. If you need assistance in starting or growing your business, the Lake County Business Opportunity Center offers training, seminars, and one-on-one consulting at their North Lake office in Mt. Dora. If you would like more information or wish to take advantage of these support services, call 352-602-4575 or visit their website at: http://www.businessinlakefl.com/BusinessS upport/B usinessOpportunityCenters

City of Tavares New Business Tax Receipt Checklist Local Information

• All businesses operating within the City limits of Tavares are required to make an application

and pay the City’s Business Tax Receipt fee in addition to the required Lake County Business Tax Receipt as stated in City Ordinance Chapter 20 Sections 20-33.

• Businesses related to fundraising, religious, charitable, youth, or civic service are exempt from paying for the Business Tax Receipt but are required to make an application.
• 65 years of age or older are exempt but are required to apply.
• Business Tax Receipts are valid for one year, and all receipts expire on September 30th of each year.
• A business tax receipt issuance is subject to compliance with applicable building, zoning, and fire codes.
• In addition to the City Business Tax Receipt, each individual professional shall be required to pay an additional tax for the following professions: medicine, law, certified public accountancy, optometry, dentistry, veterinary medicine, architecture, engineering, surveying, physical therapy, psychology, clinical counseling, psychotherapy, and geology.
• Applicants for a New Business Tax Receipt must provide the following information:
• Fictitious Name Registration unless registered through the Division of Corporations or conducting business in your legal name. State documents are required if registered through the Division of Corporations.
• Federal Id# or Social Security # if not filed through the Department of Revenue.
• State License if required due to the type of business applying.
• Lease or Bill of Sale of Property stating the Business name and address.
• Application Fee as stated in the Fee Schedule listed below:
  • October 1 st thru March 31 st —$45.00+$10.00 Processing Fee=$55.00
  • April 1 st thru April 30 th ---$33.75+$10.00 Processing Fee=$43.75
  • May 1 st thru May 31 st ---$31.50+$10.00 Processing Fee=$41.50
  • June 1 st thru June 31 st ---$29.25+$10.00 Processing Fee=$39.25
  • July 1 st thru July 31 st --$27.00+$10.00 Processing Fee=$37.00
  • August 1 st thru September 30 th ---$22.50+$10.00 Processing Fee=$32.50

  State Information

  • Florida Department of Revenue issues State Sales Tax Numbers. The local office is at 1415 S. 14th Street, Leesburg, FL 34748. (352-315-4470) (http://dor.myflorida.com/dor/)
  • Online information and filing is available at www.sunbiz.org for the following required state registrations:
    • Fictitious Name Registration (Anyone conducting business and using a business name that does not fall under the State of Florida Exempt Guidelines must register the business name)
    • All corporate registrations
    • Daycares, preschools, and adoption agencies can be obtained through the Florida Department of Children and Families. (www.state.fl.us/cf_web/)
    • Restaurants and mobile/perishable food carts must be inspected by the Division of Hotel and Restaurant Commission PRIOR to obtaining a Business Tax Receipt. (www.myfloridalicense.com/dbpr)
    • Convenience/grocery stores, health clubs, automotive repair businesses, travel agencies, moving companies, bakeries, delicatessens or agriculture products can be obtained through the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. (www.doacs.state.fl.us)
    • Salons, accounting, real estate or construction industry professions can be obtained from the Department of Business and Professional Regulations. (www.myfloridalicense.com/dbpr)
    • Finance, investments, mortgage, and banking professions can be obtained from the Office of Financial Regulation. (www.flofr.com)

    Federal Information

    • Internal Revenue Service issues the Federal Identification Number www.irs.gov

    PLEASE NOTE:

    • Business Tax Receipts not renewed when due and payable shall be considered delinquent and subject to a delinquency penalty of 10% for October plus an additional 5% penalty for each month of delinquency but not to exceed 25%.
    • Any person who engages in any business, occupation, or profession who does not pay the required Business Tax Receipt within 180 days after the initial notice of tax due and does not obtain the required local business tax receipt shall be required to pay a penalty of $250.00 per offense and may be subject to civil actions. This penalty is in addition to all other authorized penalties, collections, and administrative costs.
    • Before conducting any business activities, it would be in the business owner's best interest to verify with the City of Tavares Community Development Department that the property on which the business is located is appropriately zoned for the intended business activities. (www.tavares.org or 352-742-6408)